Systems and methods for analyzing network traffic

A system for analyzing traffic in a first network and a peer network, the first network and the peer network comprising a plurality of nodes, the system comprising:

• a memory configured to store observed traffic statistics;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• forecast traffic transmitted to and from each of the plurality of nodes based on observed traffic statistics and an estimated growth, the estimated growth determined in part based on an amount of traffic staying within the first network that is not sent to or received from a node belonging to the peer network,
• generate a traffic matrix using the observed traffic statistics and a forecasted amount of traffic associated with each of the plurality of nodes, and
• determine projected traffic between each of the plurality of nodes using the generated traffic matrix.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of:

• forecasting traffic transmitted to and from each of a plurality of nodes in a first network and a peer network based on observed traffic statistics and an estimated growth, the estimated growth determined in part based on an amount of traffic staying within the first network that is not sent to or received from a node belonging to the peer network;
• generating a traffic matrix using the observed traffic statistics and the forecasted traffic associated with each of the plurality of nodes;
• and
• determining projected traffic between each of the plurality of nodes using the generated traffic matrix.

A traffic analyzer, comprising:

• means for forecasting traffic transmitted to and from each of a plurality of nodes that belong to a first network and a peer network;
• means for generating a traffic matrix using observed traffic statistics and the forecasted traffic associated with each of the plurality of nodes the forecasted traffic determined in part based on an amount of traffic staying within the first network that is not sent to or received from a node belonging to the peer network;
• and
• means for calculating traffic between each of the plurality of nodes using the generated traffic matrix.

A method for forecasting traffic in a network comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein a first group of nodes represent virtual nodes with each virtual node including a number of traffic sources and destinations associated with a plurality of network service types provided by a first network service provider, and a second group of nodes represent at least one peer network associated with a different network service provider, the method comprising:

• forecasting, for each of the virtual nodes, total transmitted and received traffic values associated with each of the network service types based on observed statistics and an estimated growth;
• determining the total traffic transmitted to/from the first group of nodes from/to the at least one peer network;
• and
• determining the total transmitted and received traffic for each of the virtual nodes using the forecasted total transmitted and received traffic values and the determined total traffic associated with the at least one peer network.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said instructions including sequences of instructions which, when

• executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of:
• forecasting, for each of a plurality of virtual nodes in a network where each virtual node includes a number of traffic sources and destinations associated with a plurality of network service types provided by a first network service provider, total transmitted and received traffic values associated with each of the network service types based on observed statistics and an estimated growth;
• determining traffic transmitted to/from each of the plurality of virtual nodes from/to at least one peer network, wherein the at least one peer network is associated with a different network service provider;
• and
• calculating a total transmitted and received traffic for each of the virtual nodes.

A method for analyzing traffic in a first network and a peer network, the first network and the peer network comprising a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

• generating a first traffic matrix using observed traffic statistics and projected traffic values associated with each of the plurality of nodes;
• scaling the first traffic matrix based on a comparison of a sum of select ones of the observed traffic statistics and a projected traffic value;
• and
• generating a second traffic matrix based on the scaling, the second traffic matrix including a plurality of entries representing the projected traffic between each of the plurality of nodes.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said instructions including sequences of instructions which, when

• executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of:
• generating a first traffic matrix using observed traffic statistics and projected traffic values associated with each of a plurality of nodes in a network;
• scaling the first traffic matrix based on a comparison of a sum of select ones of the observed traffic statistics and a projected traffic value;
• and
• generating a second traffic matrix based on the scaling, the second traffic matrix including a plurality of entries representing the projected traffic between each of the plurality of nodes.

A method for analyzing traffic in a network comprising a plurality of nodes;

• the method comprising:
• forecasting traffic transmitted to and from each of the plurality of nodes based on observed traffic statistics and an estimated growth;
• generating a traffic matrix using the observed traffic statistics and the forecasted traffic associated with each of the plurality of nodes;
• and
• determining projected traffic between each of the plurality of nodes using the generated traffic matrix;
• wherein the traffic matrix includes a plurality of entries representing a plurality of rows and columns;
• wherein the determining includes:
• determining whether the sum of the entries representing the observed traffic statistics associated with a node are equal to the entry representing the forecasted traffic associated with the node, and
• freezing the corresponding entries in the matrix when the sum of entries equals the entry representing the forecasted traffic, wherein the frozen entries represent the projected traffic.